Terror First Hand

On a bus targeted by a terrorist, a 16-year-old girl faces death.

On Sunday, November 4, twenty girls from the 11th grade of Beit Shulamit, a religious girls' high school in Jerusalem, boarded public bus #25, as usual, to go home. The bus was a double bus: two long buses connected in the middle by what Israelis call an "accordion," so that it can turn corners. The bus was crowded. Most of the Beit Shulamit girls had to stand.

Sixteen-year-old Orah stood in the back of the bus talking to her good friend Shoshi Ben Yeshai. Another friend standing in the middle of the bus called to her. She had something to tell her. Orah made her way forward through the crowded aisle.

At the French Hill intersection the bus stopped for a red light. Suddenly Orah heard gunshots. She looked out the window and saw an Arab man firing an automatic rifle into the back half of the bus. Instantly the bus was full of shattered glass, blood, and screaming.

Orah and the other passengers dove for the floor, body piling atop body in the packed bus.

Orah and the other passengers dove for the floor, body piling atop body in the packed bus. Sure she was going to die, Orah uttered the Shema, the profession of faith which observant Jews recite twice every day and at the moment of death. Suddenly she was seized with fear, not of death itself, but of what comes after death. She realized she would have to stand before the heavenly tribunal and account for her life. There were so many things she would have done differently. Now it was too late.

A chorus of Shema Yisrael rose from all directions, punctuated by the rapid fire of the machine gun. A non-religious girl, screaming hysterically, fell on top of Orah. "Say Shema Yisrael," Orah and her friend pleaded with the girl. She said the words, but her hysteria did not abate.

Orah could hear people around her reciting verses of Psalms. She realized that the sound of shots had ended. Two soldiers stationed on the other side of the intersection had killed the terrorist.

Within a couple minutes the doors opened and police were pulling passengers off the bus, trying desperately to reach the wounded and dead. Orah slowly struggled to her feet. She was alive, unhurt except for a few scratches. She felt like she had been given life anew. She would do things differently this time.

Only later did she discover that her good friend Shoshi had been murdered by the terrorist, who had also killed 14-year-old Meni Regev and wounded 45 people. As of this writing, ten of Orah's schoolmates are still hospitalized, one of them in serious condition: 14-year-old Sharona Rivka (bat Rina Yehudit for those who want to pray for her).

That night Orah and those of her classmates not in the hospital attended Shoshi's funeral. One of their teachers eulogized Shoshi as the "epitome of smiles, good cheer, and desire to help." Orah, standing by her friend's grave, resolved to pattern her life after Shoshi, who had excelled in love for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Shoshi, who narrowly escaped two terrorist attacks in the last year, had several times told her friends, during their endless discussions of the war in Israel, that when she died, she hoped it would be "al kiddush Hashem," for the sanctification of God's name.

When they passed the intersection, she and her friends held hands and wept.

"Shoshi was the type of person who would have volunteered to die instead of her friends," Orah avers.

The next morning Orah boarded the #25 bus and went to school. When they passed the French Hill intersection, she and her friends held hands and wept. At the morning prayer service, Orah prayed with greater intention than she ever had in her life.

"Although we all cry a lot," Orah declares, "I feel I have been given a big gift. Now I can better appreciate what I have."

In coping with both loss and fear (every sudden noise makes her jump), Orah is bolstered by her religious faith and by the support of those who love her.

Although Orah was born in Israel, both her parents made aliyah from America. When asked if, in the aftermath of the attack, she ever fantasizes about moving to a safer place like the United States, Orah laughs, "What? After the World Trade Center? Are you serious?"

Orah's classmate Gila, who was also on the attacked bus, says that while they all continue to take the #25 bus, no one wants to go on the bus alone. "We try to be together in as big groups as possible."

"Why is that?" I ask, wondering what even a dozen teenage schoolgirls can do to protect themselves from an armed Arab terrorist.

"We can hold each other and talk to each other," Gila explains.

SECOND HAND

I hang up the phone from talking with Gila and Orah, and go into my living room, where my 7-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter are working on puzzles. Trying to walk the tightrope between scaring them and preparing them, I ask offhandedly, "If you ever hear a bomb or gunshots, what do you do?"

My daughter answers: "Get down."

"Right. And then what do you do?"

My daughter gropes for an answer. Finally she comes up with: "Stay down."

"And then what do you do?" I persist.

My son jumps up proudly with the answer: "Say Shema."

"That's right." This is the second time this year we have discussed how a Jew should die with Shema on his lips, conscious of God with his last breath. The first time was after the Sbarro's bombing, where five members of one family died calling out the Shema. "And God willing," I add, "you'll be fine, and can go about with your life."

I retreat from the living room, enough said. But I keep feeling: "Something is wrong with this picture."

What am I doing, a mother in Israel in the 21st century, teaching my children how to face death at the hands of Jew-haters?

What am I doing, a mother in Israel in the 21st century, teaching my children how to face death at the hands of Jew-haters? That gruesome task was appropriate for Jewish mothers in the Rhineland during the Crusades, in Poland during the Cossack massacres, in Russia during the pogroms, all over Europe during the Holocaust. But the Zionist dream was supposed to end all that!

Herzl's whole goal was to establish a Jewish homeland as a refuge from anti-semitism, where Jewish children would be safe from those who hate them. Yet this year we have seen children maimed when their school bus was blown up, a baby deliberately shot to death in her mother's arms, another baby whose head was crushed in a rock-throwing attack, numerous youngsters killed in drive-by shootings, a disco bombing which murdered 20 teenagers, and and two 14-year-old hikers murdered so brutally that their bodies were almost unidentifiable.

While I agree with the many anguished voices who are demanding that the Israeli government do more to protect its citizens, in my gut I know that neither the government nor the army has the power to save us. After all, two soldiers were permanently posted at the French Hill junction, but in the two minutes it took them to cross the busy intersection, how much carnage was wrought! Nor can we hermetically seal all the areas where Arabs live. I have Arabs living right next door to me!

There is no political solution.
There is no military solution.
There is only a spiritual solution. Tshuva. Changing. Loving our fellow Jew. Helping our fellow Jew.

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About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of God Winked: Tales and Lessons from my Spiritual Adventures, as well as the bestsellers: Holy Woman, Lights from Jerusalem, and Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara(with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller). She is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Canada, and over thirty American cities. A graduate of Brandeis University, after fifteen years of practicing and teaching meditation and Eastern philosophy, she discovered "the world's most hidden religion: Torah Judaism." Since 1985, she has been living as a Torah-observant Jew in the Old City of Jerusalem with her husband and two children. She presents a highly-acclaimed Marriage Workshop for women [seewww.kesherwife.com] as well as a Gratitude Workshop. To invite her to your community, please write to info@sararigler.com.

Visitor Comments: 27

(27)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2002 12:00 AM

terror first hand

I fully agree with elkface@mssn.cpm comments,if we dont hit back now we will be slaughtered bit by bit and small pieces will be taken out of a sleeping giant called Israel.We have to act otherwise we will go as we went in trhge holocaust,never again,and never mind what the world will say,they never said anything when they were burning 5 thousend per night in the crematoria of Aushwitz Birkenau ,lets get them out by truckload into Gaza and Hebron out of our middst,only the once who will live piecefully and obey the laws of our country should be allowed to stay.I have seen truckloads of our people go in to the Gaschambers after selections in the Camp(Auschwitz) praying loudly Schma Isroel...It did not help them,as they could not act,but they where only helpless dying jews,there were not Israelis.

(26)
Ronald Ferstadt,
December 2, 2001 12:00 AM

The time has come to end this insane peace,and pay them back with force and Distruction they will never forget

We as Jews have to make them pay a high price for the Slaughter, that took place yeesterday. Blow up the temple Mount, expell all arabs from eastern Jerusalem, and Bethlahem, re-enter all areas, of the Hamas, and kill if nessary and Round up what ever factions have Jewish Blood on their Hands. Show restraint, Bush said, Give them a State Bush and Powell said, give those helpless arabs back their Land, Powell said. Did Bush and Powell forget, the Jews Won the War in 1967, and the West Bank from Jordan. The Hell with what Bush and Powell, including the World thinks,Their Track record of the past, has only cost more lives, and like Sharon states, The only one the Jewish People can count on is ourselfs, Jewish Life is expendable. Lets Stand Up and be counted, Lets take control, and to Hell with everonelse. Can you tell how angry I am? G-d be with all the Jews in Isreal, Amen.

(25)
Ron Farrier,
November 20, 2001 12:00 AM

This is an amazing story.

I recently started a new organization, "Scientist's Against Terrrorism", and our only hope in this organization is that things like this will never happen.

May all of those victims be blessed.

(24)
Ezra,
November 19, 2001 12:00 AM

Courage on all fronts at all times

The solution is to have courage on the spiritual, military and diplomatic fronts together and at all times. Who says life is easy, Jewish life never was.

(23)
Rivkah Koch,
November 19, 2001 12:00 AM

Courage, Friandship, and Bitachon. We must enjoy each and every moment of our lives.

What these girls went through in a day is something no teenager, or for that matter, no one, should have to go through in a lifetime. When I told my dad about this article, he told me that things like that happen every couple weeks in Yisrael. Reading such an article will make any person, Jew or non-Jew(or maybe not), realize what is really happening in the world today. And the U.S. government wants us - Yisrael - to take away our defensive forces on our fronts. "Land for Peace!" they demand.
Those girls had courage - they stood by each other and didn't give up, friendship - they grew because of the shooting and after Shoshi's death, they became closer and learned to love all Jews, and bitachon - they said the Shema before they died and Orah herself was not afraid of death, but of what was to come. They all ducked and let Hashem take care of their lives.
Every person should learn form this story to have courage, friendship, bitachon - trust, confidence and faith in Hashem, that He will provide and take care of you - and we should never take our lives for granted.

(22)
Marti Newman,
November 17, 2001 12:00 AM

I read your story and the stories of Orah and Gila. Our children in the US are now learning about lock-ins and what to do when terroists attack. These are sad times all over and when I read this story tommorrow in my class for Israel and Politics I shall repeat over again your last three lines of your story. We look so much for the easy answer without looking at the deeper meaning and reason we are all here. For each other as Jews and as human beings capable of some much that is good rather than bad.
Thank You for you words and insight. May we all become safer in each others love for mankind.

(21)
Y Fried,
November 15, 2001 12:00 AM

"On these (events) I weep"

Mrs. Rigler has once again inspired us. In a desperate effort to try to make ammend ourselves, we must search our hearts and perhaps ask ourselves where these undescribeable and unconceivable events have left us. Are we indeed growing stronger, spiritually as well? If we all pay more attention to what we are saying in our daily prayers, they would take on an ENTIRELY different meaning. If we understood the meanings of what we are saying each day in our prayers, they will be much more meaningful to us. If we paid more attention to our fellow Jew, smile and greet eachother. See how we can help one another. We shouln't have to act like strangers among ourselves. The non-Jews have showed us what it means to become more united than ever in a strong solid family like bond; until that day when Jewish people don't have to feel strange, or awkward walking in their own neighborhood because they "look different " than the other (Jewish) person, I don't know how else to say it, we don't deserve to see salvation. We were undivided at Mt. Sinai when we received the Torah; what will it take for us to return to that state of unity? Let's take upon ourselves just one extra meaningful act to do each day- AND KEEP TO IT. May we SPEEDILY witness the rebuilding of our home in Israel, Amen.

(20)
John White,
November 14, 2001 12:00 AM

Yes! Loving each other - where "other" includes non-Jews...

Yes, I completely agree that there is only a spiritual solution: Loving each other and helping each other, where "other" includes all non-Jews and all Jews. This should start with loving the non-Jewish Israeli citizens and the Jewish Israeli citizens by helping them all to have equal political, educational, professional and social opportunities as Israeli citizens. Then, it should expand to loving the non-Jewish refugees of Arab ancestry in the occupied territories (the ancestral cousins of the Jewish people, whose parents' land and possessions were taken from them almost three generations ago by the founders of the State of Israel) by helping them build and pay for the physical infrastructure they'll need to prosper in their new State of Palestine. These loving acts would go a long way toward establishing G-d's justice in the region and toward extending G-d's mercy to all who live there. And, where G-d's justice prevails, there also will G-d's peace dwell. Shalom!

(19)
Anonymous,
November 14, 2001 12:00 AM

I was on that bus. When I read Ms. Rigler's question, "What am I doing as a mother...teaching my children how to face death..." I was finally able to cry. I too lay on the floor, my five year old little girl in my arms and, stroking my two year old's cheek, whispered to them to say Shema. As we cried out Shema over and over again, something inside me suddenly calmed down--I was just waiting for it to be our turn to die. The veil between here and the next world seemed so thin, just a crossing over, that it was not horrifying, but just was. Thank G-d, Hashem spared all three of our lives. We were witness to many miracles that day and to tremedous chesed and achdus among the survivors of the bus. It doesn't matter who you are--religious, secular --in the end we are all Jews facing a common threat. If only we could carry that feeling of achdus/unity and caring for each other--that same feeling expressed by Ora and Gila's holding hands with their friends on the bus--surely Hashem would answer our pleas and bring the Moshiach. May it be soon.

(18)
chana rubin,
November 13, 2001 12:00 AM

An inspiring story. Hashem watches over us, and it is important to observe as many mitzvos as possible, at the same time as being aware of where we are, and who is near...always alert. Our only final saving will be when Moshiach Tzidkaynu comes.

(17)
Bracha Berman,
November 13, 2001 12:00 AM

I was on the bus

I was on the #25 bus that was shot at with Ora and Gila, two of my very good friends. It was very scary, to say the least. All I can wish is that mashiach comes soon, so this will never happen again!

(16)
Anonymous,
November 13, 2001 12:00 AM

Security

Is there any way for security to be beefed up? It seems there are too many innocent lives being lost to terrorism. There has to be a way for security to help cut down on terrorism. Did the bus just sit there while being fired upon? Why didn't the bus make a move to get away? There has to be a way to protect the children using these buses. Palestinians know no other way of life. They only know war and killing. They are raised to kill. Their games are war games. From childhood they are taught to hate and kill. I don't see an end to any of this as long as people are brought up under these kinds of circumstances. There are nations of children being raised to hate Jews. How is this going to end? How can this change?

(15)
Anonymous,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

Very well written.

(14)
chaim malinowitz,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

great article, wrong conclusion

Great article,as usual for Mrs.Rigler.HOWEVER-- the conclusion is wrong.Yes ,teshuvah------- but true teshuvah--when we realize that there absolutely is both a military and a political solution----when we realize that we must trust in HaShem and conduct ourselves as the Torah requires viv-a-vis enemies who openly declare their intentions to kill us----the Torah is quite clear on this-not to let Jewish lives be hefker [worthless].There is no greater chillul HaShem - desecration of G-d's name - than that.When we suffer daily the direct results of our refusal to act that way,I fear that loving each other and helping each other,commendable though it may be,just won't do the trick.

(13)
Anonymous,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

ripple effects

Mrs. Rigler did a superb job describing the terror that Ora and Gila and their friends felt during those horrifying moments on the number 25 bus last Sunday. I think the faith in Hashem that these girls displayed is awesome. As Mrs. Rigler said, they did "get it right". When one hears about a "pigua" or terror act, one doesn't think about the ripple effect that it has. Does one think about how many people's lives change from one incident? The victim's family and friends, for sure. But, what about everyone else on the bus, like Ora and Gila? What about the people who were almost on the bus? Or Shoshie's teachers and neighbors? Up until now I never gave it much thought. Since Sunday I can't stop thinking about all of the people who were somehow involved. My life has also changed, hopefully for the better, as I have much to be grateful for, B"H. You see, I am Ora's mother.
Thankyou again, Mrs. Rigler. May we all be strengthened. By the way, Sharona Rivka is doing much better, and by an unbelievable miracle was released from the hospital yesterday. All of the other girls are all home as well and B"H doing physically fine.

(12)
Ora fabian,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

It is 4:24 A.M. I can"t sleep due to nightmares and panic attacks, provoqued by Sept. 11 and the threatening e-mails of my abusive ex-husband, I came in to my kitchen for a cup of tea, and to calm down looking for a prayer in aish.com. well the reading of the story has changed my life, as I lived a similar situation also in Jerusalem, also in a bus, and my name is Ora, (the name Gila has an special meaning to us),

It has been hard...

However, reading this, made me pause and think,meditate, I am on the road to do my personal teshuva, and put an extra intention in my prayers.

"May He help, shield and redeem all those who turn to Him for refuge..."

(11)
Gary Tyler,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

Thanks

Thnak you for this account. I plan on using this letter in my World Geography class when we get to our Middle Eqast studies. This will let my students understand how you live with terror every day, like we are having to do now.
God bless you.

(10)
David Billington,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

Very Touching--one thing missing from conclusion.

Thank-you for the very touching article it brought tears to my eyes. It is not always easy for people to share such horrific moments in their lifes with others--I would like to say thank-you to these that have.

The conclusion to the article can be summed up by these Psalms--maybe the writer had them in mind:

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." (Psm. 146:3)

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." (Psm. 20:7)

I feel the conclusion lacks an important element that is featured throughout the article--PRAYER. "And in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies, Thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies" (Neh. 9:27-28)

"O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield." (Psm. 115 :9)

I feel the words of Israel in 2 Chronicles 20:12 are very appropriate: We know not what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. Just close your eyes and imagine these words projected onto the Western Wall in a simular fashion to the "Jerusalem I pledge" rally! Imagine that many people praying together! This is where strength and solutions come from.

Thanks again.

(9)
Anonymous,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

There are no words for what is happening in Israel now to express the pain and anguish and worry for what will happen to our loved ones and what will happen to all of Israel. I have read some of the articles on this site before urging us amidst the current flood of terrorist attacks to connect with God, urging us to reassess ourselves and to try and take control of our lives - our Jewish lives. I now see that this is our only true act of defiance against terrorism, on a personal level anyway. We defy by expending our energies on trying to live our lives normally, and also by trying to see how we can make the world better by making ourselves better. What better revenge against the terrorist can there be than to carry on living in the face of his poison or bullets or bombs, and even more than that to keep on loving, and to keep on fighting to have emunah.

(8)
Anonymous,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

May Hashem Protect Am Yisrael

Whenever I read one of Sara Levinsky Rigler's articles I am always left with the same feelings of hope. I look forward to each and every piece she writes because as soon as I start to feel down about the whole situation in Israel and around the world for Jews, her articles rekindle the love I have for Israel and the Am Yisrael and I am left re-strengthened. My heart goes out to the families of Ora, Soshie and Gila, and I pray to Hashem that the terror stops and that the Jews grow strong again, together as a people. I would also like to thank Ora's mother for sharing her feelings and words with us, and I pray that her family is well. And thank you Mrs. Rigler, for being such a powerful and honest voice for our people.

(7)
Adina,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

We cannot forget

I was very touched by your article, and by your point of view. You eloquently expressed the feelings of many Jews all over the world. In particular, your reference to my sister, Gila, gave me the chills. I think that the further removed one is from an incident such as this, the weaker the impact of the event is on that person. Personally, knowing that my sister was on the bus when the shooting occured was enough to send me into panic and fear for my family, and I can't imagine what families of actual victims must go through. All I can say is that our prayers are with the families of the victims of this and previous attacks. May Hashem hear us in these difficult times, and may He send us redemption soon.

(6)
Jim Walker,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

I pray for the peace of Jerusalem. I have a brother inlaw who has lived in Jerusalem over 20 yrs. My Wife and I visited 6 years ago and fell in love with the country of the Bible. May God bless and Keep Jerusalem safe and may peace be upon on her Walls.

(5)
Anonymous,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

B"H

B"H

very powerfull keep it up

(4)
Anonymous,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

sad, poignant, kept my interest.

The story was very enjoyable and would enjoy reading more of them once in a while. It is too bad that some people feel that violence is the only way to accomplish change.

(3)
Anonymous,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

Yasher Koach. You express what everyone here feels. My wife, 9 months pregnant, was on a bus just entering Givat Tzafatit (French Hill) when the attack began. I listened to her on my mobile phone as she described the scene. People on the floor, Police, ambulances everywhere. I have not spoken to my children about this directly. I know that they talk about it amongst themselves in school though.

After reading your article I think you are right. We must be a constant security for our children and not frighten them, but at the same time, we must teach them what to do if chas veshalom, something ever happens.

I'll discuss this with my wife tonight, Be'ezrat Hashem.

(2)
Ann Simon,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

Terror, We must not forget.

As I read about the students on bus #25 I began to realize I wanted to share this article with my high school students. Since Sept. 11, we have kept a journal of our thoughts and feelings. We have talked of the terror in Israel and here in the USA. They must not forget the bond we now share and the reasons.

(1)
Anonymous,
November 11, 2001 12:00 AM

the spiritual solution is the first Rashi in Bereishis

The spiritual solution is to be found in the very first Rashi in the Torah. It says that when the nations of the world accuse us of stealing their land, we should tell them the entire world belongs to G-d, He created it and gave it to whom He pleased. G-d gave us Eretz Yisrael. As long as we remain ambivalent about this, we suffer. It's time we proclaimed this truth to the world.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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